🌌 Prologue: The Throne of the Ninety Galaxies
In a vast universe comprising ninety explored galaxies, humanity asserts its dominance over forty, while the remaining realms are divided among Elves, Demons, and Giant Mercenaries. Here, on the "Mother Planet," lies the Central Continent—the beating heart of power, where starship technology merges with the ancient flow of Mana and the raw fury of Qi. It is a world that recognizes only rank, from the lowly "Apprentice" to the legendary "War Sovereign." In this realm, empires are cemented in blood, palaces are toppled by conspiracies, and while Emperors clash over the "Tower of Heavens," an exiled heir is born—carrying the memories of three worlds and a mystical chip destined to tip the scales of the universe.
Chapter I: The Central Continent and the Omen of Ruin
The Central Continent consists of three minor states and one Great Imperial State—the ancestral home of the Imperial Family and the residence of War Lords and Ancient Sovereigns. This Great State houses only the palaces of the Elders and Princes, the Imperial Palace, and the Hall of Governance where the Emperor dictates the fate of galaxies. It is also the seat of the Council of Sages and the War Council.
The hierarchy of power is absolute: The Emperor stands at the apex, followed by the Princes, the Council of Sages, the High Court, the War Council, and finally the Executive Council. Within the Great State, only the Imperial Family, the Sages, and the War Generals reside. There is no trade, no agriculture, and no commoners—only vast gardens, sprawling estates, and elite servants who are graduates of the finest academies.
The three surrounding minor states are ruled by Princes, beneath whom serve Dukes, Marquises, and Counts:
* The First State: Home to the Academy of Servants, where nobles' children train to serve the Imperial Lands, and commoners train for service across the stars.
* The Second State: An agricultural powerhouse providing sustenance for the Imperial State.
* The Third State: An industrial hub dedicated to fleet maintenance, patrol ships, and the upkeep of teleportation gates.
Historically, the current Emperor—the 24th of the Central Continent—is known as the "Lion of the Imperial Family" (Iskandar). He seized the throne through a brutal war against his brothers, nephews, and uncles. His majesty is so profound that the Emperors of the North, West, and East never dared to cross him. It is said he never wiped the blood from his throne. To demonstrate his reach, he once dragged a Giant Mercenary King from the furthest edge of the universe after learning of his involvement in the assassination of his wife. He crushed him before all the War Sovereigns of the cosmos and executed him in front of his throne and his first wife—the mastermind behind the plot—who was thereafter known as the "Executioner of War Sovereigns."
Following this, Iskandar empowered the War Council and the Judiciary to balance the Sages. He appointed a loyal Chamberlain to manage the state's affairs and entered a period of profound seclusion. None may enter his presence except the Chamberlain, and he emerges only on "Throne Day." Every Prince knows he remains their absolute Emperor and bows before his shadow. His only true friend in the cosmos is the "Universal Governor"—the Emperor of the North (Ned). They share a common grandson: our hero. Despite the distance between Iskandar and his son (Edward, the hero's father), the Emperor secretly keeps watch over him through the Chamberlain, for Edward is the last fruit of his love for his late wife.
On the day of the conspiracy, the Emperor was away, quelling an uprising near the Human-Demon border—a bloody war involving the Emperors of the Center, North, and East. Entire fleets were battling a galaxy being consumed by demonic beasts. Meanwhile, his wife and sister to the Western Emperor, Empress Nadia, was on a "Seclusion Planet" belonging to the Central Continent, conducting her research. She was a renowned scientist and sorceress whose inventions had propelled humanity forward.
The Seventh Prince, Edward, arrived to visit his mother and sister, leaving his wife (the hero's mother) in the Northern Continent. The Seclusion Planet was a paradise of freshwater seas and lush garden islands. In the center of one island stood Empress Nadia's tower.
Prince Edward: "Greetings, Mother."
Empress Nadia: "My beautiful son, how are you? And how is your wife?"
Prince Edward: "I am well, despite the court's intrigues, but Father remains my greatest supporter. I have great news for you."
Empress Nadia: "What is it? Tell me, I haven't heard good news in a long time."
Prince Edward: (Smiling) "This news deserves a grand gift... my wife is three months pregnant. The doctor says the child is healthy. No one knows but you and Father's physician."
Empress Nadia: (Overjoyed) "Finally... I shall have a grandson. I have waited so long!"
Suddenly, the Empress sensed a disturbance outside the tower. Communication with her guard was severed. She felt the vibration of warships entering the planet's atmosphere.
Prince Edward: "Mother, what is happening? Is something wrong?"
Empress Nadia: "Someone is attempting to shatter the tower's protective dome. Many ships have entered the sector. You must prepare to leave. Listen to me: your father is occupied with the war, and someone has seized this moment to eliminate us."
Prince Edward: "But Mother, we must all escape together!"
Empress Nadia: "Impossible. There is a powerful presence, nearly matching your father's strength, waiting outside the atmosphere. If I move, he will intercept us. Take this—this is a mystical chip unlike any other, discovered from a desolate planet. It is a powerful system I have restored and updated. It only activates for the bloodline of myself and Iskandar. If your son unlocks it, he will be invincible. Now, leave through the Imperial escape gate; it only transports one person. Do not fear for me, my son; your mother is strong."
Prince Edward: "No, Mother! How can I leave you alone?"
Empress Nadia: "I said, run! Those outside are powerful, and if you stay, you will only hinder me."
She cast a spell, placing him within the transport seal, and whispered: "Farewell, my son. Your mother loves you." Using half her magical strength, she warped him to the Mother Planet. Moments later, the defense shield collapsed, and three War Sovereigns appeared: two Warriors, a High Sorcerer, and the Giant Mercenary Leader—one of the strongest beings in the universe.
Chapter II: The Dust of Battle and the Chamberlain's Cry
Empress Nadia: "What brings you here, you greedy dog? I haven't seen you in ages. What business do you have on the Emperor's Seclusion Planet?"
Mercenary Leader: (Laughing) "Heh... the Beauty of the Cosmos, the Black Empress Nadia. You are still radiant despite the years."
Empress Nadia: (Eyeing the Sorcerer) "And you? The White Empress's lapdog is here? Now I know who backs you. What ails that rabid bitch? Did I not leave the court and its filth to live in my seclusion?"
The Sorcerer: "Yes, My Lady. Today is your end. White and Black cannot coexist under one Emperor."
Empress Nadia: (Laughing bitterly) "So, she is my sister's dog... My brother, the Western Emperor—does he not know his lapdog is a slave to my brother? Oh, my brother, I abdicated the throne for you and left the family, yet you still fear me?"
Mercenary Leader: "Heheh... the dogs of the Mother Planet eat their own. I care for nothing but the gold!"
The three lunged at Nadia. It was a cataclysmic battle that wiped out half the planet. Everyone perished except the Mercenary Leader, who escaped with near-fatal wounds. Had a ship not been nearby, he would have died.
Mercenary Leader: (Spitting blood) "If she hadn't drained her strength transporting something before we arrived, I would be dead. But I didn't see her die... where did she vanish? No matter, I will tell them she is dead and take my gold." (He turned to his subordinate) "Take me to the Celestial Physician at the edge of the universe."
Thus was the end of the Black Empress Nadia—or so the world believed.
Meanwhile, Prince Edward, due to the extreme nature of the emergency transport, suffered severe internal injuries. Upon his arrival at the gate, assassins were waiting. Weakened, he was struck in his "Mana Circuit," crippling his power. The Chamberlain sensed the disturbance and warped to the location, finding the Prince drowning in his own blood. The four assassins committed suicide the moment the Chamberlain appeared.
The Chamberlain: (Roaring) "Young Master! What has happened? Royal Physician, stand before me now, even if you are across the galaxy!"
The Chamberlain's voice echoed throughout the Mother Planet. He was the Emperor's right hand and one of the most powerful beings alive. The physician arrived and began treating Edward in Nadia's chambers. Across the various sub-empires, everyone knew: blood was about to be spilled.
When Edward regained consciousness, he gasped: "Chamberlain... save my mother! The Seclusion Planet is under attack!"
Terror struck the Chamberlain. He knew the depth of Iskandar's love for Nadia. He summoned three of the strongest War Generals to guard the Prince and raced to the Seclusion Planet. He found only ruin. No body was found, only the lingering traces of Nadia's Black Mana and the Mercenary's Qi. He realized she had triggered the tower's self-destruction. He returned to the palace trembling, fearing the Emperor's wrath.
The Chamberlain raised the defense status to the highest level and summoned his former mentor.
The Mentor: "My student, have you lost your mind? The highest defense level? Is there an invasion?"
The Chamberlain: "Worse, Master. I believe Empress Nadia is dead. Look at the recordings."
The Mentor: (Horrified) "Heaven help us. Who will stop him now? She was the only light in his life."
The Chamberlain: "Not only that, the Seventh Prince is crippled. His cultivation will never progress."
The Mentor: "Tragic. He was the Emperor's favorite. Go to the battlefield. Tell him. The war is ending."
The Chamberlain went to the front lines and met Emperor Iskandar.
Emperor Iskandar: "Chamberlain, did I not order you never to leave the palace unguarded?"
Emperor of the North (Ned): "Heh, Chamberlain, have you lived so long that you now defy your master's orders?"
Emperor of the East: "Why not leave this bloody man and serve me instead?"
The Chamberlain stood paralyzed by fear, then whispered: "My respects to the Sovereigns of the Mother Planet... My Lord Iskandar, there is a grave matter. You must come to the ship. This is greater than the war."
Each Emperor entered the ship with their respective aides. Inside, the Chamberlain said: "My Lord, please, remain calm. I carry news of great sorrow."
Emperor Iskandar: "Speak. Do not waste my time with the stuttering of slaves."
The Chamberlain: "Five days ago, Prince Edward arrived wounded. Assassins struck his internal Mana Circuit."
Emperor Iskandar: (His aura began to leak) "Continue! Why do you falter?"
The Chamberlain: (Taking a deep breath) "The Prince said: 'Save my mother, she is under attack.'"
Iskandar froze. The Chamberlain, trembling, showed him the footage of the destroyed planet. Iskandar's killing intent began to suffocate the surrounding space, so potent that even the Demon Emperor in the neighboring galaxy raised his shields in fear.
The Chamberlain: "My Lord, your aura will kill everyone on this ship! Calm yourself... I found no body. There is hope."
Emperor Iskandar: (In a voice like death) "Chamberlain, be silent... take me to the Seclusion Planet. Now."
Before moving, the other Emperors stood by the ship. Iskandar allowed them in.
Emperor of the North: "My friend, we are brothers in arms. I will go with you. She was my daughter's mother-in-law and my dear friend."
Emperor of the East: "She is my cousin, my own blood. I will see this through."
Emperor Iskandar: "Fine. Just... be silent."
The Chamberlain ordered the withdrawal from the battlefield. The captain opened a galactic wormhole toward the Seclusion Planet. A two-day journey of silent, burning rage began.